Press Release: SAN MARCOS, Texas – The best start in program history was clinched by the Texas State soccer team (5-0-0) behind key plays from Zoe Junior and Kamaria Williams in a 1-0 victory Thursday night over Kansas City (0-4-1) at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
Junior netted her third match-winning goal of the season while Williams twice cleared the ball off the goal line to preserve the shutout.
“We talked about it, so they had something to play for tonight,” said head coach Steve Holeman. “We wanted to be the team to make history and they did it tonight.”
Held to a season-low seven shots, the Bobcats were paced by two attempts each from Mya Ulloa and Junior.
Katelyn Chrisman recorded two saves to pick up her second shutout of the season. Her victory between the posts gives her five in her career to tie Tiffany Unruh White (2000-02) for 10th in team history.
Junior’s first shot of the match came midway through the sixth minute when she cut back in the box to lose her defender and tried a shot to the near post. However, the goalkeeper was there to catch the ball.
The Roos nearly got on the scoreboard in the ninth minute that began with a through ball to Ririka Kamimura. She unleased an attempt from the top of the penalty box that clanked off the crossbar.
Late in the 54th minute, a low cross across the goal mouth found Anna Jennings. A one-touch attempt from her was blocked by Williams just in front of the goal line to keep the match scoreless.
Kiara Gonzales was tripped up nearly 25 yards out from goal on the left side of the pitch. Mya Ulloa sent a low kick just past a wall of three Kansas City players to a charging Junior. The sophomore got her left foot on the ball and flicked it past the keeper for the lone goal of the match.
With 25 seconds left on the clock, the Roos earned a corner kick. The ball eventually found its way to Kayda Kamolz. She was able to flick it over a Bobcat defender towards the goal. Williams was there to head the ball away with five seconds to go and clinch the victory.
“It is something we work on. We focus on set pieces in both attacking and defending,” said Holeman. “We talk about our post players and how important it is. Obviously, she helped win the game tonight with that save.”
Next up for TXST is a road trip to take on North Texas. Kickoff is schedule for 1 p.m. on Sunday.
